General Information
The College of Justice & Safety began as a single course offering to 49 students. It has expanded to include:
- More than 1,600 students
- 43 full time faculty
- 3 departments
- 2 service centers
- 4 associate degrees
- 7 bachelor's degrees
- 3 master's degrees
The College has also earned the designation of being a Program of Distinction in the State of Kentucky and one of the foremost institutions of learning and research in the fields of justice and safety in the nation and world.
In 1974 the College of Law Enforcement was established at Eastern Kentucky University. Through the years, the programs changed and developed to include broader areas of study encompassing the fields of criminal justice and police studies; corrections and juvenile justice; and safety, security and emergency management. To reflect these changes, the College was renamed the College of Justice and Safety in 2000.
In 2003, Dr. Allen Ault came to the College after retiring as chief of the Special Projects Division of the National Institute of Corrections, U.S. Department of Justice. Dr. Ault brings more than 30 years experience in the field to his position as dean.
Under Dr. Ault's able leadership, the College is known worldwide for the excellence of its programs, faculty and graduates. Currently, the College, through its extensive grant and contract activities, receives more than $54 million in external funding, has an extremely active faculty in the areas of research and scholarship, and has recently taken on the challenge of addressing the need for increased distance learning initiatives.
